Ratifikasie in die Gereformeerde kerkreg

Abstract:

Ratification (ratification) in Reformed Church Polity is an area of indistinctness and controversy. Its origins are unknown. Among Reformed Church theologians there is no consensus about the relationship between ratification and ratihabitio as well as the contents of ratification. The main aim of this study is to investigate the importance of ratification for the Reformed Church government. Ratification as an essential part of ratihabitio is a term from the Representation Law, which has been taken into the Reformed Church Order since 1581. Ratihabitio in the Reformed Church Polity can be defined as the act of law of a minor assembly by which the decisions of a major assembly are tested, declared valid, declared valid, accepted (ratified) and implemented in the light of the Bible, Confession and articles of the Church Order. Measured to the five fundamental principles of Reformed Church Polity, ratification is a pure act of Reformed Church Polity which forms an essential part of the Reformed Church government. Ratification is basic to several articles of the Reformed Church Order. Study of the application of ratification in the Dutch and South African church history shows the importance of the correct implementation of ratification. One comes to the conclusion that meticulous application of ratification results in consistories who treat their governing task with the necessary zeal and who appreciate the validity of decisions made by major assemblies. Above all, Christ, the absolute Monarch of the church, is glorified.